The Jets were in no mood to throw Shaun Ellis a going-away party yesterday after the veteran defensive end bolted to the hated Patriots.
Ellis signed a one-year deal with New England yesterday morning, becoming the latest experienced holdover to depart -- or be told to depart -- Gang Green since the end of last season.
Ellis is going into his 12th season and had just 4½ sacks last year, both of which made re-signing him less of a priority. But the fact he chose the Jets' biggest rival resulted in a few parting shots at the once-popular locker room presence.
"The fact that he chose them, no way I'm going to wish him well," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "I wish him [to remain] healthy, but I don't want him to play well."
The Jets tried to retain Ellis, but only at the veteran-minimum salary of $910,000. They were reportedly outbid by Bill Belichick, who is vigorously restocking his defensive line this summer -- witness the recent acquisition of Albert Haynesworth -- as the Patriots transition to a 4-3 scheme.
Interestingly, the Jets drafted Ellis in the first round in 2000 with a pick obtained from the Patriots as compensation for New England's hiring of Belichick.
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